AARP Rewards Online Community Smart Saver Contest

I put 25.00 on a cash app card every single payday and more when i have extra money

I enter the daily giveaways each day and choose 3 gift cards each month. I use them to go out to eat or save a little on purchases. Anything to help save a little money. 

I often go to Estate Sales 1/2 off days & only purchase things I normally use.  I also stock up on grocery & household items when they go on sale.

I  I almost always remember to turn my heat down when I leave the house.  If you're gone for a few hours or just an hour, it makes a difference.  I also close the doors to the rooms that are not used. When I go in to grab something, the temperature difference is very noticeable.  With oil prices above $5 per gallon, every little bit helps.

I save by looking every week for the food flyers and laundry sections if I need something that is on sale i compare prices to see which is the lowest. Most manufacturers lower prices on the same items store within the same week but one store maybe able. To give you a lower price than another due to how many they can buy and sale with a larger inventory

When I worked I had to take a taxi to and from. Now that I’m retired I save the money I WOULD have spent weekly. I also save money by having 25.00 taken out of my account into savings along with that. Further I save money by not only turning everything off in my apartment but UNPLUGGING all unnecessary electrical items, lamps extension cords and TV when not in use.  With these three ideas you are bound to save like I do. I’m not rich but because I’m efficient I have a little “play” money and am able to do things I struggled to before. 

I never carry coin change, if i purchase something and receive coin change then it immediately goes into a storage container and when the container gets full I take it to the bank. Sometimes ill even throw in a few $1 bills to make the pot even better when its full!

 I use my cash back credit cards for everything, including utilities, groceries, evenings out, etc. Most cards are targeted to specific purchases and pay back a higher percentage for those purchases..5% vs 1% on gas or  groceries for example. I pay the balance in full every month and earn the cash back. I normally make around $1500-$2000/yr and have never     paid a penny in interest. You must be sure   to pay balances off in full every month.

I’ve always believed that saving smart doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. One of my favorite ways to save is by buying Sprouts’ boxed milk when it’s on discount or sale. It’s high-quality, lasts longer than regular milk, and comes in paper-based cartons. not plastic which makes it better for the environment too.

So, I live alone and cook a Family Pack of Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs in a variety of marinades to mix things up in a 9"x13" Pyrex and reheat it during the week. I also microwave a Spaghetti Squash and portion it out for the week and then sauté some fresh spinach for well-balanced meals. The other dish I like to make are Cabbage Steaks about 3/4" thick topped with ground lamb which are quick and easy to prepare, I can yield 5 portions from a 1lb. package of ground lamb and one good sized cabbage. For the cost of going out to a restaurant for one meal, I can prepare a weeks' worth of dinners and know exactly what the ingredients are.

As the saying goes: You Are What You EAT!

Also, I have opted for a Walmart+ Membership with the Home Delivery Option which saves me considerable time and money by shopping online and having everything delivered and then I occasionally go to ALDI for some items that Walmart doesn't carry.

Between those two, the savings over the other grocers is more than 30% not to mention that it significantly lowers my Carbon Footprint!

When I think of all the time I spent on the weekends going to the food store, gathering items, unloading to checkout and then bagging, driving home, and unpacking, the ability to just have to unpack the items I ordered online and the way Walmart allows me to build my cart until I reach the $35.00 Minimum for FREE Delivery, the Walmart+ Membership pays for itself in no time.

Time is the most Precious Commodity we have in our Senior Years!